This time last year we were all still in the middle of the pandemic with no clear idea of when normality might resume. Who now knows what normal is? It is clear that the cumulative effect of a decade of austerity, Covid-19 and now a cost-of-living crisis has had an impact on our children and their families.
To say that education settings have risen to the challenge is an understatement. It is a credit to every early years provider, school and college in the city how resilient you have been, not only maintaining a high quality of teaching but providing the social and emotional support to families and each other, without a break.
The things that are going to serve us well in Portsmouth in the coming months are the things that have served us well over the last few years; our partnership working, the understanding we have of our communities and our inclusive and caring values. These make a difference every day to the children in our care.
Many thanks to all of you for the warm welcome I receive when visiting you or bumping into you at events. I really hope that you all have an enjoyable break over Christmas, whatever that looks like in your world.
Councillor Suzy Horton
Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Children, Families and Education
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Inclusion
Body image group |
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We believe that every young person should grow up feeling confident about the way they look. Dove 'Confident Me' is an evidence-based, five session group aiming to improve body image for young people in years 7 - 9, covering topics such as appearance ideals, comparisons, media messages and body talk.
At Portsmouth CAMHS: Eating Disorder Team and the Mental Health Support Teams we want to help support all secondary schools to implement this into their curriculum.
Please contact camhseasteatingdisorders@solent.nhs.uk for more information.
School improvement
Save the date for the PEP Teaching and Learning Conference 2023 |
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Plans are moving ahead for the PEP Teaching and Learning Conference 'Portsmouth Reads' on Wednesday 8 March 2023 to be held at The Marriott Hotel. Keynote speakers are booked, workshops agreed, and stallholders invited plus there will be prizes and giveaways!
It should be a great day to inspire and inform anyone who leads on, or is connected with, the teaching of reading across the Portsmouth Education Partnership, from early years to post-16. Booking on Eventbrite will be available in the new year.
Festive fun at Fort Nelson |
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Nine naughty reindeer are hiding around Fort Nelson, and staff are appealing for younger visitors to help round them up in time to pull Santa’s sleigh on Christmas Eve.
A free festive worksheet with a trail and puzzles will help children explore the museum galleries and track them down.
Fort Nelson is home to the national collection of artillery and the museum galleries, outdoor spaces and underground tunnels are all open to explore.
The café will be open for festive snacks and drinks, and the museum shop has a great range of gifts and stocking fillers.
Fort Nelson is open Tuesday to Sunday 10am to 4pm during term time and daily in the school holidays. Admission free. Car parking £3.
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Apprenticeship opportunities for school staff
There are some great apprenticeship opportunities to develop your existing staff to gain qualifications and continuing professional development (CPD). All of the costs of training can be covered by the Portsmouth City Council (PCC) apprenticeship levy.
Outdoor activity instructor L3: 12 months £6,000 (paid by PCC apprenticeship levy)
The main responsibility of an outdoor activity instructor is to run a safe and enjoyable activity session.
Outdoor specialist L5: 24 months £13,000 (paid by PCC apprenticeship levy)
The broad purpose of the occupation is the design, planning and delivery of programmes that provide learning and change using outdoor activities and experiences.
Youth worker L6: 36 months £20,000 (paid by PCC apprenticeship levy)
A youth worker is someone who uses rights-based, person-centred relationships to engage with young people to promote their social, emotional, and personal development using informal education approaches.
A recorded webinar detailing the programmes is available. To request this or for more information, please email apprenticeships@portsmouthcc.gov.uk or sandra.wilkie2@portsmouthcc.gov.uk.
 Keeping siblings together…
Many of us have childhood memories of special occasions spent with siblings, including Christmas. Foster Portsmouth believes that siblings should be kept together wherever possible so they can still have those experiences whilst in foster care.
Unfortunately, due to the national shortage of foster carers the UK is currently experiencing, it is challenging to find foster carers with the time and a large enough home to take in more than one child.
Foster carer Ruth shared: “It’s the most rewarding care I have ever done. Having siblings is hard work, but they are part of the family and very loving children. The best thing is seeing them blossom.”
We need more loving foster families this coming year to help us ensure siblings can stay together… for next Christmas and beyond.
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